The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-16
LUKE p. POLAND.
Glimpses at His Inner observation-disclosures
of His Washington Pastor.

of His Washington Pastor.
Rev. Dr. l.. Il. Rankin. Boston Congregationalist.
During most of my ministry in Washington
Judge l.. 2. Poland was member of the con-
gregation, and so regular and attentive was be
that he was sometimes playfully characterized
of the deacons. There was the Hon. E.
B. French, with his stately form and Washing
ton-like face on the one side, and there was the
snow-white head and black eyes and attentive
gaze of Judge Poland on the other-two land
marks on which my eyes always fell
Judge Poland's Washington manner of life
was of the simplest kind. Always at home with
his family or few select friends, en- Toying
reading aloud from such writer Dickens,
for whose humor he had especial RELISH
with no taste for anything unbecomng man,
from the public cares of which he bore SO large
burden. remember a call upon his pastor
which became an historic one. It was during the
later days of session in Congress, and when
they were holding night sessions. So dereict
had the members become that absentees were
arrested by the sergeant arms, brought up
before the bar of the House, and subjected to a
fine 1t happened that on this occasion Judge
Poland was thus brought up for the usual pen
atty. He appeared and accounted for his alb
sence by stating that he had just returned from
making call on his pastor. The excuse was so
unique for Congressman that the fine was re-
mitted amid much merriment of those present.
AS an illustration of the instructive reverence
for sacred things which characterized Judge
Polland's mind 1 recall New England festival.
Dec. %. when, representing Vermont,
he had a sentiment assigned him, with the quo
began by saying it was not the province of one
OF his profession to speak of the meaning of the
passage as it stood in the Word of God, and then
passed to consider the meaning OF the words as
accommodated to his native State. Vermont
never had more loyal son. nor one whose serv-
ice did her more honor. He loved to expatiate
on the simple manners and habits of her people
and their regard for sacred things.
Judge Poland died firm believer in the old
orthodox faith In which he had been reared. He
seemed to have a feeling that, as he should not
nf tha ind al 0Dip Of
clergyman, SO it did not become him to set him
self up as a teacher or authority In religious
things. And while he had respect for sham
in the pulpit or the pews, he kept his unswerv-
ing loyalty to the Word of God interpreted as
his ancestors had interpreted it. And OF
his last acts was to ageee to make up all de-
ficiencies in the maintenance of the Orthodox
Congregational Church in Waterville if they
would undertake self-support-a proposition
which the little church had accented
In his domestic relations Judge Poland was
true to the New England type He was espe-
cially tender of the little that called him
grandpa. Three times day, when at home,
he went over and visited them, usually taking
the babies among them into his lap and sin gxEs
the nesting things off to sleep at twilight. In
deed the most familiar memories of him will
perhaps be these, where he seemed to become
child again with those of the third generation.
At Waterville he had lately purchased the old
homestead of his wifes ancestors, reftted it. and
made It just suited to the wants of himself and
his faithful companion, and was RECALLING his
later years with the country scenes which he
had loved in his boyhood; a who had
served his generation in larger variety of
capacities than fall to the lot of many men;
recognized and honered in all; self-made in
the best sense; Industrious frugal unfinching
in his integrity; his mind judicial, his heart
humane, his principles fixed from life habit;
and, humanity speaking, likely to live ten ff-
teen years. 1t is a touching illustration of tn
simplicity of his character that he, who had
served in the highest places in the land and had
been among the leaders there. closed his public
career as a member of the Vermont Legislature
from the town of Watervile. A second period
of such quiet service in his native State seemed
ing away a load of hay, probably. brought upon
him the attack which almost Instantly terminal
&c his lfe